142 POLO PONY GEAR. [Chap. VI. 



used is a single knot on the upper surface of the 

 tongue, and a double bow knot in the chin groove. 



The most generally useful bits for ponies with good 

 mouths are shown in Figs. 28, 29, 30, and particularly 



3i> 55' 56 and 57. 



The standing martingale may be dispensed w^ith at 

 polo when the animal is perfectly trained, and, con- 

 sequently, carries his head in the right position. 

 Without this useful contrivance, very many good 

 polo ponies, especially Arabs, would star-gaze, and be 

 found difficult to stop or keep under control. With 

 ponies which raise and bring back their heads when 

 they stop suddenly at full gallop, so as to throw 

 their weight on to the hind quarters, this martingale, 

 if used at all, should be long enough to allow them 

 the free use of their heads for the purpose just 

 mentioned, but no longer. 



In breaking a pony, a standing martingale will be 

 found useful, except for those which have such 

 perfectly shaped necks that they always carry their 

 heads in the right position. For this purpose the 

 martingale should be of such a length as to prevent 

 the muzzle being raised higher than on a level with 

 the top of the withers. 



Many good players in England never use a martin- 

 gale at all ; but, as a rule, they are the happy 

 possessors of ponies with good mouths and with 

 beautifully shaped heads, necks, and shoulders. On 

 the other hand, in India most of the best players use 

 a standing martingale on every pony, because, as far 

 as I can see, they ride Arabs, which, unlike well-bred 

 English ponies, seldom have their heads and necks 

 well put on, or their shoulders sufficiently sloping. 



